Vehicle bolster fitting



Aug. 10 1926.

J. HOFMANN VEHICLE BOLSTERJ'IITTING Filed Feb- .lO. 1.925

Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,595,156 PATENT OFFICE.

J'OSEF HOFMANN, OF BAUMAROCHE, SWITZERLAND.

VEHICLE BOLS'lER FITTING.

Application filed February In most automobiles the ends of the frame bolsters are turned down and fitted with an eye to which one end of the spring is connected. downwardly curved end of the bolster.

When it is desired to secure a shock absorber between these elements, i. e., the bolster eye and spring eye, it is the practice to cut of]? the end of the bolster containing the bolster eye and secure the shock absorber in the end of the shortened end of the bolster and to the spring eye.

This defaces the bolster, and in the event the owner or a re-purchaser wishes to dispense with the shock absorber, it cannot be done without welding to the bolster a new end corresponding to that which has been cut off. The paint is considerably marred and the job is never as neat as the original.

If the bolster end is not cut off, the greater space required by the shock absorber unduly flexes the spring from its original posit-ion, resulting in the tilting of the axle, and this interferes with the steering gear. Another objection is that the raising of the car disturbs its balance and therefore its riding quality.

My invention is a fitting arranged to re place the bolster eye and overcome the objections referred to. The fitting has an upturned end carrying an eye to which one lug of the shock absorber may be attached, the other lug being attached to the spring eye, giving sufiicient space for carrying the shock absorber without unduly flexing the spring.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are similarly designated Figure 1 shows one form; of my fitting secured to a bolster end and supporting between it and the spring eye a shock absorber.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a modification for another make of car.

Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a further modification for still another make of car, and

Fig. 5 is a plan of Fig. 4.

In Figure 1 the end of the channel-shaped bolster is curved. The rivets that held the eye in the bolster and that were connected to the spring eye 2 have been taken out and the bolster eye removed, and my fitting put in its place, using the same rivet holes for new rivets 3.

My fitting comprises a shank 4, here shown This eye is usually riveted to the 10, 1925. Serial No. 8,182.

as curved to fit the curved end of bolster 1., and at its narrower end continues into an up-turned neck 5 carrying at its extremity an eye 6 in which the upper lug 7 of a shock absorber casing 8 is connected. The spring eye 2 is connected to the lever 9, or other operating element of the shock absorber. A brace 10 is pivotally connected to the shock absorber casing 8 at 11 and its opposite end is pivotally connected to a plate 13 se cured to the top flange of the bolster near its end. The brace prevents the casing 8 from tilting and holds it upright.

In some cases the channel from which the bolster is made is quite shallow, and in this case I provide a rib 14 extending along one side of the shank 4 and along the neck 5 to the eye 6.

This rib, however, is not always necessary,

as will be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, where the shank is straight but is made thin at its one end, as at 15. At the opposite end.

the shank is thickened as at 16, so as to substantially close or fill the channel, there being a shoulder 17 substantially equal to the thickness of the channel metal that abuts against the end of the bolster or channel. From this shoulder extends the neck 5 which in this instance is thicker than the shank and extends slightly beyond th end of the bolster channel flange.

In Figs. gt and 5 I have shown another fitting in which the shank 4 is curved, having its major portion thin, with a thickened end portion 16 and a short neck 5 The neck in this instance is perpendicular to the curve of the shank, has shoulders 17 and a reinforcing web 18.

By using my fitting with the upwardly directed eye, room is provided for the connection of the shock absorber without distorting the leaf spring, or only to such a slight extent that a reverse curve is not given to the end of the spring.

The fitting can be installed without mutilating the bolster, and can be removed in case shock absorbers are to be dispensed with. 1

When used, the shock absorbers need not be given an unsightly tilt.

I claim 1. Means for attaching a shock absorber to an automobile, comprising a fitting adapted to be fixed to the bolster thereof, said fitting having an upturned outer end portion extending above the end of the bolster and formed withran eye in whichra 111g on the shock absorber 1s aadqustably .eon-

nested, and a brace rod adapted to connect the shock absorber (other bolsterabove. said fitting whereby the shock absorber may be a lever-0131piwotally connectingthe shock fixed in its adjusted position.

2. Means for attaching shock absorbers to the springs and bolsters OfEtHtOHlObflGS, comprising a fitting adapted to be fixed to the side of a bolster and having an-a1p-- turned end-portion forined'with an eye-extendingabove the end: of the bolsterrzfor the reception of ,ap lug fOIlnGCLOIl (the shock absorber t0perrnit athe latter to :be" adjustabiy connected to the bolster, a brace rod for Ac-onnectingnthe ,npper part of the shock absorber to 'the bolsterabove the fitting, and

absorber to the free end of a spring.

vIn-ptestimonyithat Lolann th foregoing as my invention I have signed my name :ahereto.

: J OSEE HOFMANN. 

